FAQs

Project files can be uploaded through our FTP site or by email with an attachment (depending on file size). If there is another way that you prefer to submit your files, such as DropBox, Google Drive or WeTransfer, please let your sales executive know.  

PDF Files (prepared correctly with crops and bleeds) or Creative Cloud Files (InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop). 

We prefer vector format files which include PDF, EPS, AI and SVG. These file formats are easy to resize and manipulate if needed. If this is not possible, we can also work with raster images, such as JPG, GIF and PNG. 

For all projects we send PDF proofs for review and approval. Additionally, we can provide hard copy press proofs for review before we print.  

For offset projects, we will print both high- and low-resolution proofs. The high-resolution proofs are printed on our Epson P6000 printer and are calibrated for exact color matching to our press. The low-resolution proofs are only for positioning and proofreading. 

For digital projects, we print proofs on the exact stock that the final project will print on, so you can see your final piece. 

Yes, we offer simple design and typesetting services. If you need a more detailed design, we can refer you to a few different graphic designers to create the artwork. 

Generally, a project can take 1-2 days to be pre-flighted. 

Prepress only checks the artwork to ensure it is print ready – it does not check grammar or spelling. We recommend that editing and final proofreading is completed before submitting your artwork files. 

When quoting your job, we will review its specs and run a cost analysis. Then, we will advise whether your job should be printed on one of our offset presses or our HP Indigo 7900 Digital Press.    

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. These are the four basic colors used in both offset and digital printing.   

PMS (also known as Pantone) Colors are standardized colors in the Pantone Color Matching System. They are specific colors that can be referenced and matched exactly on various stocks and substrates. 

For example, Champ Printing’s PMS colors are PMS 000 and PMS 555. We use a pre-mixed PMS ink when printing our logo on our offset presses. When we print our logo digitally, our HP Indigo’s technology gives its closest approximation. PMS colors are the best way to keep colors consistent from signage and apparel to print and design. 

In offset and digital, the inks are different, which can give printed pieces a slightly different color.  In terms of specific color matching, our offset presses use Pantone ink for an exact color match, where our HP® Indigo 7900 Digital Press uses CMYK colors, HP IndiChrome colors and technology to emulate a specific color. 

Aqueous Coatings are clear, fast drying, water-based coatings that protect printed pieces from dirt, smudges, fingerprints and scratching. They also seal in the ink, which stops the yellowing of pieces that are stored for long periods of time. Plus, they have quicker drying times, are better for the environment and more easily recycled than varnish or UV coatings. 

We highly recommended adding an aqueous coating to your print projects that are going to be mailed, such as direct mail postcards, catalogs and magazines. This will reduce scuffing when your pieces are being sorted and delivered by USPS. 

Finally, if you’re looking for a more lux, high-quality feel, an aqueous coating is the perfect option and most cost-efficient finishing touch. 

Since aqueous coatings are streamlined into our printing process, you have the option to finish your project with one of the following in-stock coatings:

• Gloss: Gloss is a high shine coating. It helps disguise surface flaws or roughness in non-printed areas of inexpensive papers. It gives the highest protection from scuffs and smudges. 

• Satin: This coating will provide your piece with a medium shine and good scuff resistance. 

• Soft Touch: This coating creates a velvety or suede like texture and extreme matte appearance. When someone picks up a sheet with a soft touch coating, they will immediately notice a tangible difference the piece. 

Based on your project’s vision and specs, our sales team will work with you to determine the best coating for your specific job.  

Yes, Absolutely! We often coat smaller digital runs that will be handled often (such as business cards) or direct mail pieces.  

Our prepress team and press operators are all skilled at Pantone color matching. If you provide us with a few printed pieces with your current logo, we can easily determine the correct PMS color(s). Before we go to press, we will provide you with a proof so you can review and approve the color(s), ensuring it meets your satisfaction. 

When quoting your job, we will review its specs, quantity and run a cost analysis. Then, we will advise whether your job should be printed on one of our offset presses or our HP Indigo 7900 Digital Press.

No, it is very difficult to tell the difference – even under a printer’s loop. Our Indigo press has the newest technology to ensure it prints in registration and color matches perfectly. 

Our HP Indigo Digital press has the capability to match up to 97% of Pantone Colors. As a 5-color press, it will set up the exact CMYK build of your Pantone Color.  Additionally, as a G7 Master Facility, we are able to match your pantone colors across all presses and substrates. 

Yes! This is one of the greatest capabilities of our digital press! We are able to print variable data for images, text and colors. This is also a great feature for custom letters, quarterly reports and very personalized projects. If you have any specific questions about printing variable data for your next project or want to see samples of our variable data capabilities, please contact us.  

Yes! Our HP Indigo Digital press is a 5-color press which uses its own specific inks called, ElectroInks. This includes the standard CMYK colors, along with white. It also has the capabilities to print specialty florescent and metallic HP IndiChrome inks. 

Aqueous Coatings are clear, fast drying, water-based coatings that protect printed pieces from dirt, smudges, fingerprints and scratching. They also seal in the ink, which stops the yellowing of pieces that are stored for long periods of time. Plus, they have quicker drying times, are better for the environment and more easily recycled than varnish or UV coatings. 

We highly recommended adding an aqueous coating to your print projects that are going to be mailed, such as direct mail postcards, catalogs and magazines. This will reduce scuffing when your pieces are being sorted and delivered by USPS. 

Finally, if you’re looking for a more lux, high-quality feel, an aqueous coating is the perfect option and most cost-efficient finishing touch. 

Since aqueous coatings are streamlined into our printing process, you have the option to finish your project with one of the following in-stock coatings:

• Gloss: Gloss is a high shine coating. It helps disguise surface flaws or roughness in non-printed areas of inexpensive papers. It gives the highest protection from scuffs and smudges. 

• Satin: This coating will provide your piece with a medium shine and good scuff resistance. 

• Soft Touch: This coating creates a velvety or suede like texture and extreme matte appearance. When someone picks up a sheet with a soft touch coating, they will immediately notice a tangible difference the piece. 

Based on your project’s vision and specs, our sales team will work with you to determine the best coating for your specific job.  

Yes, Absolutely! We often coat smaller digital runs that will be handled often (such as business cards) or direct mail pieces. 

Our prepress team and press operators are all skilled at Pantone color matching. If you provide us with a few printed pieces with your current logo, we can easily determine the correct PMS color(s). Before we go to press, we will provide you with a proof so you can review and approve the color(s), ensuring it meets your satisfaction. 

Finishing or bindery services are the final steps to completing a job after it’s printed. Common services include trimming, scoring, folding, stitching, drilling and collating. 

Here at Champ, we have large cutting/trimming machines that have guillotine style blades that cut your project down to final size. Depending on your stock’s thickness and number of finished sheets, our expert finishing team will set the blades pressure to perfectly cut through an entire stack of paper.

Once we receive your specs, we will let you know if your project needs scored. Generally, projects that are folded on text weight stock do not need scored; however, if you’re using a cover stock or heaver, we will recommend scoring your piece. This will give your project a clean look and ensure the stock does not crack when folded. 

To learn about the different folds, be sure to check out our folds infographic in our resources area.  

Saddle Stitching is a popular binding process in which folded sheets are collated, gathered together and wire stitched (aka stapled) through the fold line. In the print industry, stapling is referred to as stitching and the collated sheets are draped over a saddle-like apparatus, hence the name “Saddle Stitching”. Here at Champ, our Saddle Stitching machine is known as a muller martini. It will collate, fold and stitch in-line, ensuring pages are in the correct order, folded in the same place and securely bound. Generally, magazines, catalogs and multi-page brochures are saddle stitched.  

This is a great question! Job turnaround depends on the run size, specs and finishing details of a project. Offset jobs generally need more time to dry than digital jobs. If there are intricate finishing services included, it can take additional time. However, if you have a rush job that needs to be completed quickly, we will work with you to meet your deadline. Champ Printing has two shifts per day that work to meet the tightest of deadlines. 

Yes, we do. For more information about pricing and turnaround, we will need to learn more about your project. Please contact us for more information. 

We ask that you provide us with a mailing list file. Acceptable databases are Excel; Access; .DBF format; .CSV format; .TXT format.

Yes, NCOA (National Change of Address) is run on the list and any updated addresses are changed. Also, the list is checked for duplicate addresses. 

Yes, we can use your permit. We will just need some information about your permit and also you will need to ensure enough funds are in the permit to cover the mailing. Once the mailing list is confirmed and the project is printed, we will notify you of the postage amount.

Match mailings are when two or more pieces are personalized for the recipient and all match up to their corresponding envelope. 

Yes, we have the capability to personalize the address, salutation and small details within your letter to make it specific for your recipient.  

The difference between the mailing options is delivery time and postage costs. 

First Class
First Class is considered top priority and will deliver within 2-3 days locally and 4-5 days nationally. Additionally, this is the only option that includes forwarding and return services with no additional charge.  

Presorted First-Class
If you have 500 or more pieces to mail, you can send your project presort first class. For this option, there are a few extra steps when setting up for mailing. This mailing method requires NCOA run on the mailing list and pieces must be delivered to the post office grouped by region/ zip codes. Since the mailing is already in order, it saves USPS time and money, resulting in a lower postage rate. 

Standard mail
Standard mail, also known as bulk mail, generally consists of flyers, postcards, newsletters, advertising pieces, magazines and circulars. This is the least expensive postage method for general mail. The minimum number of pieces to mail standard is 200 pieces or 50 lbs. of mail. Standard mail is locally delivered in 5 business days, where nationwide can take 2-3 weeks and is not recommended for any time sensitive mailings. 

Non-Profit
Finally, if you are a non-profit organization and have USPS approval to mail with non-profit, you can mail using non-profit rates. The delivery time for non-profit is the longest of the three, but the postage price per piece is significantly less than first class and standard.